McIlroy cards second-round 68 at the Open

World number four Rory McIlroy says he is "right there for the weekend" following his second-round 68 at the Open at Royal Birkdale.

McIlroy missed the cut at his last two links tournaments, the Irish Open at Portstewart and the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, but impressed during his second round at Birkdale with a two-under par round that included four birdies and two bogeys.

The 28-year-old, who signed for a one-over par 71 on Thursday, birdied three of the first six holes, but struggled with the wind on the back nine as he bogeyed 13 and 15.

However, a birdie on 17 leaves McIlroy one under for the tournament, five shots behind second round leader Jordan Spieth.

"It's really tough out there. I was lucky enough to get off to that great start but the conditions got a little bit worse on the back nine," McIlroy said.

"I think this south-east wind we're playing in today is the toughest wind that you can get on this golf course.

"I made a couple of bogeys on the way in but I was really pleased to make that birdie on 17. I just thought if I can stay under par for the championship, I'm right there for the weekend."

Elsewhere, Sergio Garcia almost dashed his hopes of a second major win in a row with a self-inflicted shoulder injury during his second-round 69.

The 2017 Masters' champion received treatment on his right shoulder after thrashing a gorse bush in frustration following a poor shot at the 199-yard par three fourth hole.

"It didn't feel good," Garcia said. 

"I hit it backwards, it was a very weak position, and it felt like the muscles went on top of each other. So it didn't feel good at all.

"Obviously I'm not happy about it because I almost screwed up my British Open, fortunately for me I didn't. It's not want you want to do."

Image: Getty Images/ Christian Petersen

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